UKRAINE Donetsk: The survivors prayer marathon: attacks, beatings and aggression

It has been exactly 100 days since the beginning of interfaith prayer marathon in Donetsk. During this time he has become a platform for the implementation of religious and social projects and the target of aggression persons other than political affiliation.

The first steps of the formation of the prayer marathon were made in February. 13 of Facebook appears in official representation of groups of churches and religious organizations of Donetsk Oblast (RTsiRODo). It formed the first regional platform for dialogue, mutual respect and joint projects of religious organizations, the public, local authorities and government of the state in terms of political conflict.

Based on this platform formed and united spiritual leaders and activists in the region, round tables, press conferences, created documents. Specifically February 27 at a meeting of the local church and the city hall was adopted and signed resolution. "We, the representatives of the Christian Churches in Donetsk, ready to support the government's decision, aimed at stabilizing, preserving peace and unity of Ukraine. We call on all radical groups to stop the violence and calls, leading to tension in the society and the division of Ukraine. We call on all Christians to accept Ukraine prayer. We appeal to the executive, to promote the spiritual and moral programs in state and social structures at various levels, aimed at strengthening and healing of our society, "- said in it.

In early March, the situation in the region deteriorates. In the first weekend of spring on Lenin Square in Donetsk held extensive meetings. The city spread separatyski mood. Pro-meetings have been attacked. Amid all these developments, members RTsiRODo decision on the position of public expression of religious organizations to support the integrity of Ukraine. At the same time created and ratified a number of documents - the position of Secretariat memorandum on the establishment and regulation. Accepted difficult but informed decision about daily public prayer on March 4 at the Constitution Square in Donetsk from 18.00 to 19.00.

Interfaith prayer marathon starts as a forty-day Lenten standing for the celebration of Easter, which is aimed at unity, peace and harmony in Ukraine. In the output area pastors and priests of various churches: Ukrainian Christian Evangelical Church ("Word of Life"), the Protestant Churches of Ukraine, Evangelical Church, Church of Christ, the Roman Catholic Church, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (MP), parishioners and church activists and others in the region.

13-day marathon (9 March 2014). Addressed prayer groups come first threat. In the morning, leave unknown label-appeal on the bridge near the holding marathon.

On the 16th day (March 20) hours of daily prayer at the place of prayer marathon, there is a prayer tent. Here on duty during the day some priests. They dealt Prayer involve the prayers and take advise townspeople. Every night goes on hour public prayer for peace and unity of Ukraine.

At the same time the region practiced aggressive attacks on religious organizations. Particularly in Mariupol March 16 pro activists commit an attack on a bus of children's rehabilitation center homeless children. Reported by Gennady Mohnenko - Pastor "Church of Good Changes" (Mariupol), Bishop of Pentecostal Church of God in Ukraine.

19-day prayer marathon (March 22). In the evening after the prayer known members fired on the car an hour of prayer. Motor vehicles in this time carrying a tent for the night. It was the first armed attack. The dead and injured is not. The organizers and participants of a decision to extend the time of prayer marathon to stabilize the situation.

Six days after the bombing of prayer marathon format changes. The prayer for unity and peace in Ukraine join Muslims.

On March 21 Constitution Square serves Said Ismagilov Mufti duma "Ummah" Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Ukraine "Ummah". Marathon changing its status from for interreligious interfaith.

March 30 Sergei Kulbaka Tikhon, head of the Commission for Promoting Christian Unity Exarchate of Donetsk UGCC on your page in FB reported the attack to prayer marathon just during the hour of public prayer. "Dear brothers and sisters! Today, prayer tent in Donetsk on Constitution Square was attacked by our good neighbors with the pro-Russian rally which takes place on the square. Lenin. More than a hundred people, very aggressive, came Sq. Constitution of between 16 and 17 hours, with the requirement to remove the tent Ukrainian flag and stop the prayer because "you are very disturbing to us," "we can not tolerate your prayers" (spiritual people understand what I mean), "- he wrote.

Through the efforts of the participants of the marathon and law enforcement agencies failed to protect people and property. However, opponents have stolen a banner reading "Here are praying for Ukraine" and drowned him in the river Kalmius.

Naymashtabnishyy attack in the history of the prayer marathon took place on May 23. About two o'clock 15 armed men in masks pulled down tents and threw it into the river. They took equipment: microphone, speakers, battery and so on. Threatened to shoot people if they come back on public prayer. After the attack Sergey shoal, one of the organizers of the prayer marathon, went to the Regional State Administration to negotiate where zahvalenyy was captured. After the interrogation and beating Mr. Sergey released. On some days of prayer marathon went underground. In public prayer, people did not go, but believers continued to worship in their churches.

May 27 fighters of the People's Republic of Donetsk captured Catholic priest Pavel Vitek. We know that the minister would attend the prayer marathon. Through the efforts of the Polish consul in Donetsk and his talks with representatives of the NPT Pavel Vitek released from captivity and transported to Poland.

In late May, members of the prayer marathon to Participate in National Prayer for peace and unity in the country. In early June, has resumed and prayer tent. Because of the threat of further attacks her place setting was changed. Mobile prayer chapel was moved from the road next to the waterfront park Kalmius. No variable remained the course of daily prayer hour from 18.00 to 19.00. Also today, activists engaged in assistance to victims marathon prisoner RSA.

Material and psychological assistance has been provided to two young men, whose names do not call for reasons of security. Apparently soon it will be the main focus of the prayer marathon on the level of the daily hour of prayer. At least reported by the organizer Sergei shoal.

"My friends, if you know someone, or yourself, are those who have suffered as a man of peace, of armed men, and needs to be emotional or medical care. If you want to be evacuated from the place of the armed conflict. If you know someone who as civilians, lay in a hospital as a result of military operations and needs care [let us know] in a personal email, or call. We are representatives of different churches in Donetsk, we want to serve and help you as"- Kazhe vіn.

Today marathon of prayer for peace, love and integrity of Ukraine. Start with a small report on the most prayer tent. The guys who were on duty there should be strong nerves, as the deteriorating situation in the region, respectively, in humans exacerbated emotions, both positive and negative. People genuinely happy in that tent again appeared as a counterweight to all evil that is happening in our region, but also opponents also have not gone away, although they became less.

The guys on duty to communicate with people, pray, hand out religious literature, and the side walls of the tent clearly talking about the purposes and principles of our prayer marathon. Still with us today for prayer came specially from Moscow Orthodox priest, and with him we prayed for Ukraine. Said that many of us have heard in Moscow for us are going through, and pray, and I want to say that it is real Russian, who came to us with a prayer and not with guns.

Now a little about how the day went, and another part of the ministry of prayer tent.

Today a group of refugees evacuated from Donetsk to Kiev, two of the group, former prisoners DNRovtsev one crippled after gunshot wounds to both legs, the second slightly rumpled with bruised chest, but more mene. Man 6 days stayed with them there in slavery, was left without money, clothes. We blessed him with all necessary given the 1000 UAH. pocket and handed over to the care of individual brothers and sisters in the river. All transported by minibus. Now they are in a safe area.

Afternoon went with my sister to the second guy, who unjustly, was shot at a roadblock DNRovtsy. Picture of sad, he had three bullets in the body, two still remain in the shoulder and hip, and one bullet entered the side of the body, the abdomen, pierced organs, a little After wandering inside damaged spine and lodged in his stomach. He already had three operations, and removed the bullet from the stomach. Doctors do not give a guarantee that he will live, and even more so that he can walk. When we arrived, did not really have time to talk to him, but said, “At deysya in God, everything will be fine”, as it was taken to the emergency X-ray, and from there in the same order in an emergency surgery department. We stood with his mother a guy in the hospital hallway and prayed for him, prayed that God would not only saved him, but to his feet. The operation lasted 4.5 hours, we gave 3000 hryvnia mother promised to help more drugs and nurses around her son.

In the evening, after the prayer, which the driver to stop ringing after the transport of people returning from the Dnieper. Approaching Karlovka, launched his armed men, as Carlo platinum militants blew up, thereby foreclosing the possible passage of military equipment Ukrainian troops. Gunmen seriously preparing for the defense of Donetsk, talking about it and antiaircraft complexes in Donetsk and reinforced roadblocks, and the presence of heavy equipment. One word is what to pray for. Our battle for people and the devil and evil, and our only weapon - a prayer and acts of love, which we continue to do.
Thanks to all who by their prayers and money, makes us the ministry together in Donetsk [GOOGLE TRANSLATION]

17 hours ago
Just took another group of refugees to a safe area. Two of the group were former prisoners of the DNI. One had been in captivity for more than 6 days, was there as a slave, worked in heavy work. And, this was despite the fact that he was a sick man who constantly needed medications that he did not receive. The second was captured by youthful folly, released after 8 hours, but barely alive and crippled. Now both on the way to Kiev, where they will get medical, assistance and care.

We are all together, committed prayer with all refugees, and the people given memorable gift to Luke’s Gospel, very symbolic design. They called again today that another person was arrested; again go to the hospital to help further the peace people: victims of this insane war; again complete dried rations for refugees; again making daily prayer in the center of Donetsk for the people, for peace, for Ukraine.

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